Wednesday, February 25, 2009

I have sent an open letter to the ACDP and the CDA to ask them why unity talks between them have failed and why there are more than one Christian party anyhow. Of course this is the gist of the matter. If you want to see the complete letter then read “Open letter to leaders of the ACDP and CDA”. I did not only post the open letter on this blog, I also sent the letter to the offices of the ACDP and the CDA.

I am glad to say that the CDA has responded already in the form of an email from Colin Fibiger dated Tue 2009/02/24 14:01. I have also received an email dated Wed 2009/02/25 09:37 from Mrs. Madelein Watson, PA to the ACDP president, Kenneth Meshoe, that she would personally follow the open letter up with him.

So, without further ado, here is the response from the CDA. Comments by me are in [red].

Hi William

Firstly, let me thank you for the very probing questions you have raised as well as your interest in the political scenario on South Africa. We sharpen each other iron to iron and every challenge to us should only strengthen our convictions.

On why other parties were formed, these are for differing reasons of course depending on the relevant party. The UCDP for instance felt that they as a people group needed to look after themselves and never were part of ACDP. The ACDP members that walked over to NADECO, felt that they could express their Christian political convictions better in that platform. I would rather not speak on anyone's behalf but rather express our belief, as the CDA, that the past should be put behind us and that we should look forward to a future political dispensation where we have come together as one voice. Each will have their own reasons, for establishing different parties, some valid, some perhaps not so valid. Essentially, we have a choice. Keep focusing on past differences or humble ourselves and join together.

This indeed is what the CDA is all about, and all the parties that have joined the Alliance, have chosen to look past any minor differences we might have, and form one united Christian political force. As your Blog article so well said "Unity or Bust!"

Wesley Douglas' response on their website is unfortunately a blatant untruth, and accusing members who left, of finding the ACDP Christian stance too radical, implies that these members wished to compromise on Biblical principles. It is unfortunate that this young man chose to insult not only his seniors, but men and women who have shown themselves committed to God over the years.

To add clarity, to the situation, and sadly, I must contradict the ACDP response, by Richard Dinkelman. [This was a response in his personal capacity and not an official response from the ACDP.] The ACDP was approached many months ago in order to get them on board and they responded by saying that they did not wish to jeopardise their alliance with the DA in the Cape Town Municipality. If you wish I can forward you a copy of their letter. The fact that they responded with a press release on 11 July 2008 confirms this. [I have this letter in my possession.]

The latest talks, which indeed only recently happened, were initiated by ACA, the Family Policy Institute and other Christian organisations wishing, as we do, to see Christian political unity. At this meeting, the reasons given by the ACDP for not coming on board, was the proximity to elections and the fact that they had already paid their deposits and submitted their lists. The latter reason being impossible, as the election date had not yet been promulgated so payments and submissions could not have been made. It is therefore abundantly clear that they never had any intention of entering into transparent talks with genuine intent.

We have however, committed ourselves to ongoing talks with all Christian groups and will pursue this striving for unity endlessly. We trust that God's will, will prevail and that the future will see us all together.

Lastly, on your question of which of the two, Christians should vote for......

I must be honest and appeal to all Christians to stand behind, not only Biblical issues politically, but also behind God's will that we be one as He is one. We cannot deny this desire of His and as much as we might perhaps have similar policies on external matters, internally, the CDA represents a vision and dream beyond any one party.

We constitutionally, are a federal party, with a revolving chairman. This means we cannot have any one leader dictating to anyone else, at any level. We operate on a genuine federal management system which means that no one from national may interfere in provincial listing processes etc. This eliminates the hurt and anger that arises from interference at every election. We therefore represent, not only Biblical policies, but also Biblical management and stewardship. Almost, if not just as important.

If a voter chooses to vote ACDP instead of CDA, we have to acknowledge that that is their choice and honour those voters who would vote ACDP, as they are voting according to their beliefs.

As you so rightly indicated however, the number of Christians voting according to their beliefs is minimal and our main concern is the large portion of Christians voting ANC, DA and now Cope instead of putting their trust in God's principles. We can no longer settle for the small percentages Christian parties are obtaining a the polls and believe the CDA represents a fresh and viable alternative for us to come together as one and take our nation forward into real change.

RegardsColin Fibiger

I would like to thank Colin Fibiger’s quick response from the CDA.

When all responses have finally come in, I may add my own commentary to the situation, but this is not definite.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Swallows: Here his mate is injured and the condition is fatal.She was hit by a car as she swooped low across the road.

Here he brought her food and attended to her with careand compassion.

He brought her food again, but was shocked to find her dead.He tried to move her....a rarely-seen effort for swallows!

Aware that his mate is dead and will never comeback to him again, he cries out..........

He stood beside her, saddened by her death....

Finally aware that she would never return to him, hestood beside her body with sadness and sorrow .

Millions of people cried after watching this picture in America and Europe and even in India. It is said that the photographer sold these pictures for a nominal fee to the most famous newspaper in France. All copies of that newspaper were sold out on the day these pictures were published. And many people think animals don't have a brain or feelings?????

Pictures like these draw out strong emotions from most people. Even amazement!

The question is, how many people have even thought of those like the one in the picture here below?

Did you have a thought this week for the unborn that have been aborted (nay, murdered!) this week?

When did you mourn the death of one of these little ones?

(4) Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (5) Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me (Mat 18:4-5)

See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven. (Mat 18:10)

I would like each one of you to know that I am writing this open letter with the voters in mind. I am not trying to nail you, so to speak, however I do want to put you on the spot. This is certainly not for my own benefit, but for the benefit of those that you want to vote for you!

As you all know, South Africa has always been a country with deep divisions, whether racially or politically. Even within race groups (not that there are different races—we are all the human race), South Africans cannot stand together when it comes to politics.

Politics is primarily an ideologically driven endeavour. That makes it, at times, a lonely enterprise. I am sure that each of you have experienced that.

To come to the point, just a week or so ago, there were talks concerning unity between the ACDP (African Christian Democratic Party) and the CDA (Christian Democratic Alliance) for the upcoming elections. However, the ACDP turned down the offer.

As an interlude, I am sure each one of you have entertained the thought as to why your parties have not had a greater impact in previous elections. 1.6% certainly is not an impact, no matter which way you slice it.

Unity or in this case, disunity, among Christian parties is even being discussed on Facebook! The fact is that many Christian voters, who should form the biggest voters’ block in SA, simply do not know which Christian party to vote for! Why should they vote for one and not another? The end result is that they do what they have always done, vote for the DA or the ANC, and now they will vote for COPE too!

When each of these Christian parties believe in the same thing, which one would be the better one to vote for? I am sure you see the conundrum!

Now gentlemen, I would like to pose some questions to you!

First, to Dr. Kenneth Meshoe, president of the ACDP.

Knowing that the CDA put forth their hand of unity to the ACDP, could you please let the Christian voters of South Africa know why your party decided against walking in unity with the CDA?

I don’t want to make assumptions as to why this was decided, and I am sure that if you spell it out, then all assumptions can be put aside.

In my opinion there cannot be many more than 2 reasons, why different Christian groups cannot walk together in unity. The first reason would be that the other group is teaching false teaching or perhaps heresy. The second is that the other group is walking in sin.

Second, to each of the leaders of the CDA.

Having known that there was already a strong Christian party, as Christian parties go, in South Africa, why did you find it necessary to start more Christian parties in this country?

Again, either you thought that the existing party at the time, the ACDP was teaching some form of heresy or they were living in sin, and therefore you started more Christian parties. If your reasons are not any of those above, what could have been so bad within the ACDP to take you to the point of starting more Christian parties. Of course, I have my own assumptions, but whether they are right or not I do not know.

Third, a question that must be answered by the ACDP and the CDA.

Why should voters vote for your party and not the other Christian party?

Finally, it will really be a disservice to the voters of this country if you reply with some trite, innocuous reasons for the paths you all have chosen.

Please, give the voters real answers and not some diplomatic answer that hides the real reasons from the voters.

(1) A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! (2) It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! (3) It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.(Psa 133:1-3)

(1) I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, (2) with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, (3) eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- (5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism, (6) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Eph 4:1-6)

Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. (1Pe 3:8)

These Scripture verses above make it very clear, unity is a very important component in God’s Kingdom. Among His people, there should be a clear purpose of unity and a striving towards such unity. Such unity is not something that must be rejected lightly.

In one way or another, it is my strong belief, that each one of you to whom I have directed this open letter has a part in this disunity among your parties.

I would urge you all to work harder towards walking in unity. If there are petty personality squabbles, all I can say is, GET OVER IT!

The future of this country is partly in your hands. Do not squander the opportunities that are before you!

(34) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (35) By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (Joh 13:34-35)

Gentlemen, for the sake of this country, and for the glory of God, walk together in unity if no heresy or sin divides you!

Please respond to this open letter at your earliest convenience. You may either respond to this blog post in the comment section, or you may find the email address for this blog at the top right of this blog at http://bibliopolit.blogspot.com.

Any reply will be made public so that voters can have real reasons to vote for either of your parties.

May you know God’s grace upon grace as you continue to work for Christ!

God bless, William Dicks Pretoria, South Africa

Update:I have received responses from both parties. The CDA responded first, so the first link is to their response:CDA ResponseACDP Response

Yip! Here we go again! Whenever someone points a finger at someone in the ANC, they call it either an “apartheid” move or a racist ploy. This simply shows how vacant the ANC is of any unique idea, never mind how depleted their sense of morality is. Whenever there are claims of corruption against them, they do not supply contrary evidence, they simply play the apartheid game. How tired! How yesterday!

Read about Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile’s accusations against the DA of apartheid tactics.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Frank Schaeffer has really shown himself to be angry man. And, that anger has been fanned against his deceased father, Francis Schaeffer. In his book he berated his father for all kinds of “wrongs” and what not. All of this, despite the fact that he worked closely with his father into adulthood on various “conservative” projects.

Many who have known Francis Schaeffer very personally, have shown how Frank Schaeffer was simply spewing venom.

Frank is at it again! This time he writes to his hero Barack Obama about how bad the Republicans are.

“The lack of cooperation you're getting from the Republican Party will continue. You were right to indulge in a little bit of tokenism when you had to Pastor Rick Warren pray at your inauguration. But if you think that the Republicans in Congress and the Senate are going to do more than their utmost to obstruct everything you are and what you stand for you're dreaming.

“[T]he Republican Party is controlled by two ideological groups. First, is the Religious Right. Second, are the neoconservatives. Both groups share one thing in common: they are driven by fear and paranoia. Between them there is no Republican ‘center’ for you to appeal to, just two versions of hate-filled extremes.

“The Religious Right supply the kind of people who at McCain and Palin rallies were yelling things such as ‘kill him’ about you. That's the constituency to which your hand was extended when looking for compromise on your financial bailout bill.”

It seems to me that Frankie has a very partisan memory in this regard. Has he forgotten how liberals, Democrats vilified President Bush? It seems to me that Frankie is the one with the hate in his mind and is simply putting it in the public square.

Frankie further writes:

“You're doing your presidency and America no favor by extending an open hand to the perpetually knotted fist of what has become the embittered lunatic fringe of our country. They would rather go down in flames than ‘compromise’ their ideology.”

Frankie, unlike us conservatives, you did compromise everything you stood for, or was that simply a lying sham?, and now support a president who willingly let’s the unborn being murdered and stands for the murder of aborted babies who actually survived abortions. This president, Frankie, stands for everything that Christianity does not!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Francis Schaeffer had a way of seeing things and then telling others about it. In his mind, and he may be right, the central problem of our age is not the worldly forces around us. He wrote:

“The central problem is always in the midst of the people of God, not in the circumstances surrounding them.”

Rick Pearcey wrote a blog post on this very issue. Pearcey writes:

“In my view, what Schaeffer is helping to awaken us to (I know, it's hard to wake up at times) is central to the real crisis behind the crisis of our age. Moreover, it's an analysis that may help explain much that is retrograde, dehumanizing, undignified, and ineffective as a strategy of cultural engagement.

Look: We have had massive organizations at work for decades. Millions and millions of dollars. Years of blood and sweat and pounds of flesh. No one is saying we have nothing to show for this. And yet things seem to be getting worse on a weekly if not daily basis. Just turn on the TV. You begin to wonder if the current strategy is a cultural and spiritual loser.”

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Carl Niehaus, former ANC spokesman (spin doctor) has been living a big fat lie. Revelations in the past week have shown that he has been defrauding people of their money and that he perhaps did not even earn the doctorate degree in theology like he claimed.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Is it really that bad now? Many may think so, especially those who were only kids in 1979.

Ben Stein wrote a short note about conditions 30 years ago:

“Think the stock market is bad now? We thought it was bad in 1979. It has risen since then -- even with the recent crash -- by almost ten times. Not ten percent. Ten times. Think real estate has dropped now? It has but it is still about four times what it was in 1979 here in Southern California. Things look bleak now, and they are, but they are a lot better than they were in 1979 in many, many ways.”

The world has rightfully vilified the corrupt and brutal regimes in North Korea and Iran. The UN has condemned the genocide in Darfur and rung its collective hands over the fighting in the Gaza Strip. The UN has even sent agents to the United States to investigate our legal system and look for human rights violations.

But what of the tragedy in Zimbabwe? What of the brutal rule of Mugabe? Is he considered an international outlaw? Has the UN sent out a call for troops? Is there an international movement to have him removed from office? Has the UN Security Council met to demand action? Is there an international outrage aimed at Mugabe, as there was against the white Apartheid government of South Africa? Sanctions? Blockades? Protest songs by Bono? Anything? No.

Monday, February 16, 2009

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) brings to South Africa hope for a strong, healthy and prosperous nation by recognising family values as the building block of society. Our hope lies in God Almighty and in our Christian Democratic value system. The ACDP will focus on addressing the critical challenges such as Poverty and Unemployment, Education, Housing, Health, Justice and Crime, and Moral Regeneration and Integrity.

Poverty and Unemployment

The ACDP will reduce poverty and unemployment with sound economic policies. Due to South Africa’s legacy of inequality and an ever-widening gap between rich and poor, much-needed social grants are necessary in the short-term.

The ACDP thus supports the concept of targeted social interventions designed to reduce poverty for the most vulnerable. We need to ensure that the elderly, particularly the impoverished, who have contributed so much to building our nation, are properly cared for through state pensions and social grants. Annual increases to state pensions and grants should cater for increases in the costs of living and should not be below inflation.

We will extend child support grants to the age of 18 (in the form of vouchers) linked to specific criteria, such as school attendance, and provide nutritional programmes at schools from pre-school to grade 12. We will also implement a developmental programme in order to reduce long term dependence on social grants. This programme will include an emphasis on entrepreneurship, skills development and job creation.

The ACDP will:

Support small business development by facilitating access to financial assistance and mentorship programmes;

Encourage privatisation and labour-intensive initiatives;

Streamline labour legislation to remove obstructions to growth within the framework of fair labour practices;

Increase public sector investment in infrastructure to address the power crisis, ports, roads, public transportation, water and sanitation systems;

Encourage the development of a culture of savings, investment, patient building of capital and hard work;

Ensure that economic empowerment results in broader socio-economic upliftment instead of the current culture of entitlement and the enrichment of a small group;

Encourage training and development within industry through grants and tax incentives for apprenticeships, appropriate skills, and labour-intensive practices;

Promote agricultural development to ensure food security, including making small and subsistence farmers commercially viable;

Help South Africa become more competitive in the global economy and encourage fair trade internationally; and

Promote stricter standards of international financial governance to address the devastating affects of the global financial meltdown and ensure that the World Bank and International Monetary Fund are more democratic and transparent.

Education

Education develops a nation’s character and determines its future prosperity. According to a World Economic Forum report (2007), South Africa has one of the worst educational systems in the world. There are still too many disadvantaged children because of failing or under-achieving schools. The gap between the poorer and middle-class public schools has not narrowed sufficiently.

The ACDP is committed to providing quality education and re-establishing the central role of parents in the education of their children. The development of the intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual virtues of our nation will be the primary focus. The ACDP will scrap Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) and implement a Value-Based Education (VBE) system.

The ACDP will:

Focus on basic skills of reading, writing and numeracy;

Protect freedom of religion within schools;

Prioritise access to early childhood development facilities from 0-7 years;

Provide free education to learners in certain schools and subsidies to ensure access to education for all learners;

Increase subsidies for tertiary education;

Attract and retain skilled and experienced teachers through better remuneration packages, working conditions and career opportunities;

Re-open and properly equip training colleges and promote teaching as a profession;

Reintroduce school inspectors to monitor the standard of teaching;

Review and improve adult education and provide communities with a range of family and learning services including drama, dance, music, sport and languages;

Provide for special education needs through suitably resourced special and mainstream schools;

Empower educators to deal with undisciplined and disruptive children through inter alia corporal correction;

Remove gangsterism, weapons, drugs and alcohol from schools; and

Strengthen school governing bodies.

Housing

The ACDP respects property ownership and is committed to extend this to as many citizens as possible. The ACDP will incrementally provide access to adequate housing for all.

The ACDP will:

Promote the development of affordable housing through the provision of community-owned self-help schemes;

Ensure the use of cost–effective technology to provide better quality housing;

Encourage the development of sustainable housing communities with amenities and services such as health, education, socio-economic and recreational facilities;

Focus on rural development to address the problems resulting in urban migration through incentives for industries to relocate to rural areas; and

Review and establish a comprehensive data-base of persons on waiting lists for housing.

Health

Approximately 5,5 million South Africans are infected with HIV and hundreds of deaths every day are Aids-related. Government-funded HIV education programmes provide mixed messages about sex that are counter-productive. The ACDP will intensify the fight against HIV/Aids by declaring it a notifiable disease and ensuring routine testing.

The ACDP will ensure that primary and tertiary health care will be accessible and of an excellent standard.

The ACDP will:

Ensure the provision of clean water and proper sanitation and that basic health and hygiene is taught from primary school level upwards;

Extend the roll-out of antiretroviral treatment and the prevention of mother to child transmission programmes;

Prioritise public awareness campaigns to promote abstinence and fidelity;

Focus on efforts to contain and eliminate tuberculosis (TB) with a particular emphasis on extreme and multi-drug resistant TB;

By facilitating public-private partnerships ensure that hospital revitalisation is a top priority;

Intervene to significantly reduce maternal and child mortality; and

Provide access to medical aid through a national health scheme which will broaden access to health services.

Our physical wellbeing is also largely dependent on what we eat, drink and breathe. The ACDP therefore supports alternative, renewable sources of energy, adherence to global environmental standards and clean technology.

Justice and Crime

The ACDP will ensure justice for all. We are committed to a constitutional democracy that upholds the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. All laws should be measured against Biblical law which is objectively true and binding.

The main role of government is to protect its citizens and to wield the sword of justice; yet there is hardly a person in South Africa who has not had his/her life affected by crime. The ACDP believes that the most effective deterrent to crime is when criminals know they will be swiftly apprehended, tried, convicted and sentenced.

In the case of minor offences, the ACDP’s victim-centred policy of restorative justice will play a crucial role in maintaining the balance between punishment and individual responsibility on the one hand, and restoration of both the victim and offender on the other. Criminals in this case will be held accountable for their actions by the payment of restitution to victims or through community service.

The ACDP will:

Implement a zero-tolerance anti-crime strategy;

Fight corruption by re-establishing the Scorpions and strengthening the independence of the National Prosecuting Authority and other anti-corruption units;

The ACDP is committed to implement these policies to ensure a safe, healthy and prosperous nation.

We stand for Christian principles, freedom of religion, a free market economy with a social conscience, family values, community empowerment and human rights in a federal system.

I would just like to make a comment on the last section in the manifesto above.

The paragraph just above the bullet points says:

“The ACDP will accelerate moral regeneration by amending liberal and humanistic policies and legislation that have systematically undermined family values.”

IMHO, this paragraph which then leads into the bullet points makes the bullet points seem a bit ambiguous. I have had some comebacks from people I emailed the manifesto to on this very section. They wanted clarity on this because they seemed to think that the ACDP supported the bullet points and that the bullet points are the amendments suggested.

Let me clarify that issue… The ACDP would want to repeal the laws pointed to by the bullet points. Those are laws currently in existence, and the ACDP feels that those laws are immoral and should be changed.

Therefore, I wrote to the ACDP on Friday suggesting that the sentence from the manifesto I quoted should’ve read:

“The ACDP will accelerate moral regeneration by repealing liberal and humanistic policies and legislation that have systematically undermined family values.”

Having posted a review on the book, Biblical Democracy, I thought that I'd post a blurp on the book itself.

So, here it is!

What is wrong with our society andwhat can we do to make it right?

The first part of this question is much easier than the second and I'm sure that each of us can speedily make a list of problems. But what can we do?

This is a lot harder and for many people the answer is "Nothing", so they put their heads down, try to live their lives quietly or maybe pack up and leave the country.

For others, the advice may be: "Look at other countries and imitate them. Look to Scandinavia or other liberal systems." Others may take socialist principles to heart and try to implement them. Still others say "Everything in the past was wrong. Let's start from scratch." Or the opposite: "We want everything back the way it was!"

In this post-modern society, everyone has an opinion and a right to it. That's fine as far as it goes, but because it does away with ultimate truth and right and wrong, it makes it impossible to accurately answer the second part of our question. On the other hand, what does God, our Creator, say about the problems in our country and what can be done?

If you are a Christian, you probably believe that the Bible has answers to our eternal destiny. But what about our life on earth? If you are not a Christian, are you open to look at history to see what has worked and what hasn't? Would you like to see how only democracy based on Biblical foundations can bring about the freedom and prosperity that we are seeking? If so, then I challenge you to thoughtfully read Biblical Democracy – a practical look at how principles in the Bible impact on society.

While the primary message of the Bible is certainly how sinful men and women can be reconciled to a Holy God, the secondary message is often neglected but is also important – how should we live our lives on earth in a way that honours God.

In Biblical Democracy, we seek to explore Biblical principles for government, look at opposing worldviews and reveal the problems that result from ignoring God's Word. Part 2 goes on to give an inspiring overview of how God has used individuals and governments down through the ages to fulfill His purposes. Biblical Democracy presents a well-researched synopsis of the positive influence that people of faith and courage have had on the course of history.

The book is user-friendly and full of quotes, pictures, cartoons, maps and graphs as well as footnotes, a time-line and index. It's an excellent resource for all! It's 291 pages, soft-cover and is a bargain at R78 plus R10 postage and packaging.

It has been well said that those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it so let us remind ourselves of the truth, as stated in the words of Abraham Lincoln: "It is the duty of nations as well as of men to acknowledge their dependence upon the overruling power of God… and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord."

This is a repost from the ACDP Tshwane blog. I initially wrote this for them.

Biblical Democracy... Two words that probably most Christians would not put together. "An oxymoron," they would say!

However, this book written by Edward Cain and his daughter Miriam Cain (who just happened to be at school with my wife many years ago), gives us a practical look at how the principles set forth in the Bible impact society around us.

The book is written in two parts, Part 1 - God and Government (which in my estimation is the Cain's theory behind Biblical Democracy) and Part 2 - Foundation of Freedom (which is a look at history and how different ideas have shaped the world and countries - distinguishing between the righteous American revolution and the hideous French revolution, for instance).

Each chapter in the book starts with the objectives of the chapter. What can you expect to learn from the chapter? Right through two worldviews are contrasted: the Biblical worldview vs. the secular humanist worldview. It shows what will happen when the God of the Bible is denied His rightful place in any country (Part 1) and gives examples from history that proves the point (Part 2). On the other hand, the Cains make it clear that a nation that honour God can expect God's blessings and again they show examples from history.

It is not an exhaustive treatment of the subject of Biblical Democracy, but it certainly is a good introduction to the subject at hand.

To make its point the book gives various statistics related to the South African political scene. For instance, "the murder rate has jumped from 5 959 in 1977/78 to a high of 26 832 in 1994. More people were killed in South Africa each year (1994-1999) in criminal violence than were killed in 13 years of political violence (23 758 from 9/84 to 12/97)." They also show how South Africa outstrips the U.S.A. by far when it comes to murder rates. In South Africa the murder rate per 100,000 is 47.8 (2002 - 21,738 murders)) while in the U.S.A. it is only 5.7 per 100,000 (1999 - 15,500 murders). It also provides us with rape conviction statistics. In 1988 27.1% of reported rapes resulted in convictions whereas by 2000 only 7.6% of reported rapes resulted in convictions!

Anyone who would like to learn more about why Christians should get involved in the political process must read this book, at least as an introduction!

Friday, February 13, 2009

First off, before I carry on with this post, I have to make it clear that we are talking about political parties, not the church.

It is impossible for a political party to claim any kind of mandate to stand in elections on behalf of the church. It is impossible and it simply will not work. Which denomination will that party represent?

Any given party can merely represent voters. In this case, a Christian party can only represent individual voters, whether they are Christian or not, and not the church as a whole.

I read that the CDA and the ACDP were in unity talks. Perhaps not in the sense of becoming one, since the CDA consists of several other parties standing together in the upcoming South African elections.

Well, it seems that somehow someone in the CDA let it slip that there were talks, and somehow let out a release on their blog that the ACDP is not interested in such unity and will go it alone in the upcoming elections on 22 April 2009. (?)

The question is, however, is the ACDP not interested in unity? A day after the release, on their blog the CDA placed the following correction:

“Please note

Due to a misunderstanding between me and the compilers, it was understood that the embargo on the media release on the talks between the ACDP and the CDA was intended for the media. The talks are still underway.”

In fact, after talks were held on 12 Feb 2009 (yesterday), consensus was not reached between the parties. I wonder what could lead to this point where consensus could not be reached?

In their media release, Louis Green, expressed the situation as follows:

“’Sadly the ACDP has rejected the proposals and opted to rather continue on their own,’ said Louis Green, chairman of the CDA National Leadership Council. "Our focus however remains on those who are committed to unity and not the individuals who cannot see a bigger vision than themselves.’

‘It is sad but unfortunately human nature sometimes, that we can find a hundred reasons for not doing the right thing at the right time,’ he said. ‘They could of been part of a watershed movement in our nation and history will recognise them as the party that stepped aside from opportunity and destiny.’”

I know that Louis Green left the ACDP some years ago. What I do not know is if they parted ways amicably. Did that influence the unity talks?

There are many Christians that still vote for the DA or the ANC, and perhaps now will vote for COPE. It would be interesting to know why so many Christians in this country vote for non-Christian parties. Of course, we can speculate about the reasons, but one thing we do not have to speculate about is the fact that they are not voting for Christian parties.

Is there anything that could persuade them to start voting for Christian parties? Sure, there must be! And, I think, one of the major things that can contribute to that is unity among the Christian political parties.

But, we all know how politics work. Leaders of political parties are usually “A” personality types, and such leaders do not easily give up their power bases. They like to be in control, so when the respective leaders are very strong types, what are the chances of unity?

The fact is that the CDA is already an amalgamation of different parties. How much did each of these men have to give up to stand as a unified group? How much would Kenneth Meshoe have to give up to stand in unity with the CDA?

What direction will Christian politics take if there is no unity. The answers can be quite diverse, but one of the things that will continue is that Christian parties will still sit with a couple percentage points of the vote. Surely, a unified stance between Christian political parties will send a message of purpose and direction. The voter will always wonder what makes the ACDP so different from the CDA, that they would have to choose between the two. Someone will have to explain the difference to me, so that I could understand why I should vote for the one and not the other.

Or, is this non-unified stance simply a case of one personality not willing to walk with another? It would be nice to know who the divisive one is. That will help to make up the minds of the voters, won’t it?

Is it possible that the once great United States of America is in the falling phase of its existence?

If we look at the 5 reasons Edward Gibbons (Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire) gave for the fall of the Roman Empire, it certainly is not farfetched to believe that America has gone over the precipice, and is falling headlong into obscurity. Of course, America has not fallen completely yet, so its fall can still be averted!

When we read Chuck Colson’s commentary, Where Government Doesn't Belong, the signs just seem clearer. When the state (or political class) usurps the power that lies with the people, it essentially erodes the people’s trust in the state, and the internal pillars of the nation will completely collapse once some external pressure is applied.

Such external pressure has been applied (9/11), and although initially America resisted such external pressure under Bush, it seems that the American resolve has melted, and we may see complete collapse in the not-too-distant future.

The question is, What will Americans do to bring a halt to the slippery slope they are on?

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Well, that is the date the IEC announced for the elections. Unless, of course, the date has to be postponed due to current court cases, trying to get the law changed, that prevents South African citizens living abroad from voting.

Such citizens, currently living abroad, have to pay tax in South Africa (unless that dumb law was rescinded). That means our current elections law prevents citizens, that must pay taxes from participating in our country’s elections process. What are they paying taxes for, then? Simply to have their names on a citizens’ roll?

On another note, Kenneth Meshoe, President of the ACDP announced that he does not think the ANC will get 50% of the vote in this year’s elections.

I would call for caution when statements like these are made in public!

Sure, it makes for great rhetoric and surely adds hype to the elections process, but where are the concrete statistics to back that up? Just because some people joined the ACDP from the ANC, by no means mean that there has been a landslide of people leaving the ANC to the effect that the ANC will get 20% less of the vote. All of this can only be discovered post-elections.

Right now there can be many claims, but none of those claims can be proven until after the elections. When it comes to politics, many politicians can tell stories of great pre-elections exuberance and confidence, jut to be set up for the big fall.

So, IMHO, rhetoric and hype, especially among Christians should be kept to a minimum, or in fact not used at all, and instead should rather make their policies known on a wider scale. People are tired of elections speech filled with nothing but misplaced confidence and hype, with no returns during the elections.

So, we must remain level-headed, and those policies must be made known widely!